Red Lobster restaurants in Alabama continue to disappear, and the seafood chain is considering more closures as it targets underperforming locations.
The Red Lobster in Vestavia Hills at 1030 Montgomery Hwy. — the oldest location in Alabama — shut down Saturday after first opening in 1974.
“As part of our normal course of business, Red Lobster continuously evaluates individual restaurant performance and lease terms and may, from time to time, choose to close select restaurants,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
“We remain committed to making thoughtful decisions that position Red Lobster for long-term success, stability and growth.”
CEO Damola Adamolekun said the company still plans to close struggling restaurants while upgrading several others.
“There’s a lot of positive signs, but we inherited a very damaged brand, so there’s still work to do to repair all of that,” Adamolekun said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
At its peak, Red Lobster operated around 700 restaurants. According to TheStreet, the chain closed roughly 130 locations during its 2024 bankruptcy.
The Alabama restaurants affected included locations in Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Decatur, Huntsville and Mobile.
Despite the closures, sales have climbed 10% this year. After previously blaming its Endless Shrimp promotion as one factor behind the bankruptcy, the chain reintroduced the deal this year.
According to the company’s website, Alabama now has seven remaining Red Lobster restaurants.
The remaining locations are in Trussville, Gadsden, Montgomery, Oxford, Dothan, Huntsville and Florence.
Red Lobster was founded in 1968 in Lakeland.
The company’s oldest operating restaurant, located in Tallahassee, recently announced it will close after 56 years in business.
Red Lobster also closed its restaurant in Baton Rouge, leaving Monroe as the chain’s only remaining location in the state.
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